“Wake up!”

  The bell clanged with a horrendous shrill. Esteri wished it was a nightmare, but it continued. Sleep withered away from her eyelids and they popped open against her will. Minu moaned, muttered and cursed under her breath in the bed beside her, snapping away the cloth blankets.

  “Shift changes in an hour!”

  Everyone had the sense to keep their mouths shut in the barracks. A squashed space housing fifteen, all suffering each other’s nightly gas passing and early morning bitterness. Esteri yawned and blinked up at the rotting wood ceiling. She whipped off her blanket with her free hand, but made no other move.

  “Beast Ri, you slept with it?” Minu yawned at her after getting out of bed. Esteri faced her with a scowl. “You’ll be fine. It’s all a formality.”

  She couldn’t find the words, but her lips parted anyway. A squeak spilled out, and the unrelenting fear set in. Her encumbered right hand trembled. The leather hilt was no comfort now, instead it kept Minu’s attention.

  Her hazel eyes scanned the ornate blade, starting from the sun shaped gold pommel. Travelling along the thin, rich leather wrapped hilt squeezed by her trembling hand. Hesitating at the guard of a golden prideful winged Sinha, then ending at the rather plain sheath, hiding the double-edged script strengthened straight blade within. It was heavy, mightily heavy, but years of clinging to it turned the weight bearable. She always possessed a strength even Tamers acknowledged, but she still felt hollow.

  “Come on Ri, better you get out of bed yourself rather than the Tamers coming to fetch you.”

  Esteri’s stomach lurched.

  “I’ve seen you fight, you’re magnificent, do you think Tamers would waste their time offering a trial to anyone who wasn’t? It’s yours, they pretend they’re considering others to keep hope amongst the rest.”

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Esteri blurted and jumped out of bed. She shoved the blade under the rock-hard mattress, and leant on Minu’s bony shoulder. Bile flirted with her throat and she shuddered. The back of her throat singed for a flash, but she forced it back down and gagged at the bitterness tickling her tongue.

  “There she is, about time,” Minu hammered her back with a chuckle. Her sinewy arm wrapped around her waist, dragging her towards the baths. The few who departed earlier were already returning, smelling of lye soap, wearing fresh linens and were still damp. “Speaking of Tamers Ri, I have something magnificent …”

  “Minu?”

  “It’s not about that, don’t worry your beautiful … Beast Ri, I wish you wouldn’t cut your hair. I know you have a magnificent head, but think of the glorious hair you’re depriving us.”

  “The Tamer Minu,” Esteri groaned, though she couldn’t keep herself from grinning.

  The golden bathhouses, though some centuries had passed since they were worthy of that name. They waited at the end of a long narrow passage from their beds.

  Others trickled back, drying themselves with shreds of cloth in a hurry. Minu’s arm wandered lower from her hip, but Esteri’s gentle elbow kept her at bay.

  “You are forward, you know that?”

  “And you love me for it,” Minu grinned. “He’s a Tamer from a noble family.”

  “He? What happened to that other girl you were seeing, that merchant?”

  “Did you not hear me, I’m with a noble, and he’s a damn Tamer? All those rumours, how foolish were we? Of course, that strength is useful beyond violence.”

  Esteri pushed open the stone block for a door and the warming blanket of steam within embraced them both. Minu was already throwing off her sweat stained linens. Bruises littered Minu’s lean body, concentrated around her surprisingly ample bosom, and between her legs and thighs. She gasped at her, but her friend continued with no hint of pain.

  “Minu?”

  “You know I worry about your hearing Ri,” Minu moaned as she sank into the steaming stone bath.

  The others were emptying, and Esteri shed her moment of shock to join her. Untouched bars of soap waited for them, and Esteri wasted little time. Minu as well, though her lips continued to march on in incredible detail about her new Tamer lover.

  Esteri nodded and grunted, and exclaimed when necessary. All the usual acts to convince Minu she was listening. The flawlessness of his glowing umber skin seemed to stick with her. The way the kohl somehow darkened his already onyx eyes. A serene picture, yet somehow also bedraggled and gruff, Minu seemed incapable of deciding between the two, yet one detail niggled at her.

  “What?”

  “What?” Esteri jumped at Minu’s sudden harshness. They were the only ones in the steaming bathhouse, drying themselves before the benches where folded fresh linens awaited them.

  “You’re making that face.”

  “What face?” Esteri was quick to pacify her cheeks and brow.

  “That face, why would I lie about an affair with a Tamer, a noble one no less?”

  “Clearly, he is a Tamer, judging by your bruises. I doubt you would hurt yourself just to impress me,”

  “I would tell you a tale to fill you with envy, not to impress you,” Minu’s correction forced Esteri’s eye roll.

  “Is he really a noble? Or is he a noble the same way I am?”

  “You dishonour yourself needlessly,” Minu grumbled. There wasn’t a flirtatious hand wandering on their return journey to the barracks this time. “You are an Aten; you have the sword.”

  “A sword my Ma claimed to have stolen from her Da when he wouldn’t let her marry whoever she wanted, thus banished into a life of harlotry. That is a believable tale to you?”

  “Yes! Lay with someone, anyone, and you might learn that it might not have been so forced in her mind.”

  Esteri feigned a gag at the suggestion.

  “Well, as an often-accused harlot, I am wounded on your Ma’s behalf. To produce a child so prudish,” Minu shuddered, and they both snorted once they entered the barracks.

  A trio were still donning the last pieces of their battered, crude iron scale armour. Snatching their ikem shields and hefting leaf shaped bronze spears after adorning their waists with axes. “So yes, you are an Aten, and he’s an … a …”

  “Great Beast, you don’t even remember his name?”

  “The pleasure Ri, the pleasure!”

  Esteri armoured herself beside Minu, while her lips babbled away without rest. She suffered more details about this mysterious Tamer Minu entangled herself with. Most of it of a sexual nature, which all came across as painful rather than pleasurable to her ears.

  Esteri admired her bronze scale armour before donning it. There was a sheen to it, clinging to it after a week passed since her last polish. The bracers felt a little tight, but her biceps were free to breathe. She managed a few squats after donning the subtly shorter skirt. The shin guards above plain yet hardy boots returned to her a strength she almost forgot she possessed.

  Minu continued to ramble, even as she strapped Esteri’s hide shield to her back, though nothing more latched onto her about this noble Tamer. Esteri repaid Minu in kind, then rushed to strap her prized script strengthened sword to her waist. They rushed out of the barracks, bronze tipped spears in hand, Minu unrelenting beside her and oblivious to Esteri’s growing disinterest.

  #

  It was surprisingly gloomy out in the streets of Sinh’Chattaan. Esteri’s pace was slow, and the din forced Minu into silence for once, who had long since devoured her half loaf of raisin bread to break her fast. Esteri nibbled still, with ever-watchful eyes jumping from face to face while ambling along the clay stone street towards the bazaar. Her spear bumped against her neck in her free hand.

  Baking bread trickled into her nose, a respite against the more common and horrendously sharp perfume of the masses. Most of whom nodded at her when she passed, after eying the carved Sinha upon her bronze breastplate.

  All of Minu’s earlier talk of her noble Tamer filled her with the subtle want to bump into one. At least a Tamed Sinha, even a wild one. A false hope in truth, for the bazaar was the heart of the lower city.

  Tamers hardly crossed Tefnut’s Jewel to travel south. Not even the towering noble homes of sandy stone, rising high amongst hieroglyph swarmed obelisks in wealthy streets and courtyards, were worthy of their presence. Even if they were on the outskirts of the upper city. Esteri glanced back, catching the silhouettes of the four pyramids masked by dreary greyness.

  The road they took towards the bazaar might have been busy in itself, but the overflowing and far too large square was chaotic. It was a city in itself. Earlier suggestions of baking bread exploded into her nose now. Coriander, fennel, juniper, cumin, garlic and thyme all added their wondrous flavours to the chaos. Beating back the ground level humidity from the collective warmth of the tightly pressed bodies.

  Cheap perfumes left bitterness on her tongue as she traversed the chaos. The gentle sweetness of fresh bread was long forgotten. At least her armour parted the ocean of flesh before her. A tap on the shoulder of the unobservant, a flash of white-eyed surprise, a quick bow, and they were out of her way.

  The din was beyond speaking through, an ever-strengthening ocean of noise that drowned all. Merchants sang their wares to all who could listen, even as their stalls struggled to keep up with the demand. High on boxes, flashing their items without a care for those they battered with their zeal.

  Esteri’s hand remained tight on the sword weighing down her waist. While commerce boomed, there was never a shortage of cutpurses and pickpockets. Especially in the bazaar, some were brave enough to target others amongst the city guard. She had no direct experience, fortunately. As much as she believed Minu embellished her prowess, Esteri knew she was a talented fighter. Thanks mostly to her battle focus, her sharpened senses whenever she donned armour. When weapons were close at hand.

  Esteri battled through a congested section and shouted her throat raw just to open a path. Minu caught her hand gestures, and was wielding her shield to batter any who didn’t heed their approach. The din became intolerable for her thoughts, let alone words. Endless searching through crowds, observing hands and arms, when possible, took more effort than necessary.

  Their duty in the congested location was nothing more than deterrence. For there was little the bazaar would allow for them to do. A spotted thief would simply vanish in the umber sea, on the off chance their normal eyes caught thievery.

  Esteri’s mind wandered during the dreary monotony, even as the sun pierced the gloom above. Towards the stifling fear that so strongly took hold when she awoke. Her mind drifted ahead, on what was to come at midday, her trial. To be entertainment for Tamers.

  A sudden hand caressed her bare arm. She jumped and spun around, half drawing her sword, only to find a concerned Minu behind. Shield tucked back behind her again. Esteri mouthed an inquiry at her, but Minu shook her head, and nodded forward.

  They neared the outskirts of the bazaar, where flimsy and tattered awnings failed to shield lazing merchants. The noise carried here, though It faded eventually, along with the mostly pleasant smells, a respite for their senses.

  “We walk that road every morning, but it surprises me every time,” Minu whistled.

  They paused together on the outskirts of the colourful bazaar. In relative silence, in an impoverished pocket of the city. Where sandy homes cracked, and supporting wooden beams rotted. The street was more gravel than stone, but it was hard, if a little dusty. There was hardly a soul around, not even a curious eye peeking from one of the slanted windows overlooking the street.

  “It’s as if more people fill the bazaar every morning.”

  “Why couldn’t we be Tamers?” Minu whipped off her helm, and dabbed her drenched face with a cloth.

  “Keep your helmet off and you might ask the Great Beast yourself,” Esteri half warned, then eyed the poorly built multi-storey homes with her shield at the ready. A perfect street for an ambush, and the quiet did little to ease her growing worry.

  “No one is going to kill two city guards, especially not us,” Minu sighed, before donning her helm once again. “Perhaps they will go for you, I don’t know why you thought to bring that jewel for a sword.”

  “I need it,” Esteri snapped. She spun away from Minu and squeezed her spear. Her hide shield was plain and dry, but heavy on her left arm. They resumed their patrol at a crawl, and her eyes jumped around their surroundings. The occasional crack, or snapping twig stilled her, but the street ended and her tightening limbs loosened.

  “There it is,” Minu whistled again, this time Esteri shared in her admiration.

  Horus’ Shield was very much worth admiration. Its glorious size demanded eyes. Dusty pharaoh blue, with black and gold Sinha roaring all over the painted surface. Esteri hadn’t seen many gatehouses, but she knew that Horus’ Shield was special. Double the size of the other two, far sturdier and well kept. Patrolling soldiers lingered on the high walls. Their fine armour caught the gloom piercing sunlight and sparkled with added finery.

  “We could always go a little closer,” Minu suggested.

  “And have one of Horus’ finest chase us away before we reach the courtyard? I think not,” Esteri’s eyes lingered on it. There were hardly any homes on the way towards Horus’ Shield. Only towering palm trees of deep green, rising around wild gardens of insect swarmed bushels. Reeds spiked up around small ponds, where worm flies and torch bugs skittered across the surface of the water.

  “Come on, the Worker’s Gate awaits.”

  Esteri smiled at Minu’s groan.

  They turned left and hugged the plainly built walls on their shield side. The cracked clay walls watched over them as the late morning sun defeated the last of the gloomy greyness above. Sunlight trickled down with its golden yellows at first, but by the time they reached the south side of the bazaar, they were baking in their armour. Esteri’s heart lurched in the heat, with the approach of midday, her mind returned to the coming trial.

  “You know, perhaps we should find you one,” Minu half shouted over the growing din. The south side wasn’t as loud as the north, but the bodies were just as many. There weren’t the pleasurable aromas, only beer and music and sweat.

  “What?”

  “A Tamer.”

  “Oh, not this again Minu,” Esteri’s eyes lingered on a burly woman sitting on a table before a busy tavern. Her following lip licking directly at her churned her stomach.

  “I worry for you.”

  They continued south towards the Worker’s Gate. Where the heavy traffic of miners and the city guards who patrolled the jewelled road passed back and forth. Esteri nodded at a few of the city guards that recognised her. Galel, another who wore scale bronze like herself.

  “That one is quite handsome,” Minu nudged her with an elbow. Her shield was off her back and leaning against her, while she rested against the building they stood before. She flexed her arms and sighed. Esteri eyed the comings and goings of the gate, ignoring Minu’s taunts. “I don’t know how you continue to stand there, without a hint of fatigue.”

  “Duty demands it Minu.”

  “You certainly speak like a Tamer.”

  “What?”

  “You sound like a Tamer.”

  “How would you know? You’ve only met one?”

  “That’s one more than you have,” Minu pouted. “No wonder they called you for a trial.”

  “I sense envy,” Esteri sucked her teeth at Minu, fighting back a grin.

  “Obviously, damn you. But I know my limits.”

  “You know, I’ve been thinking, why is he only a noble?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “With your talent, I suppose it is a talent, I thought you would have found someone from one of the founding families at least. A Tefnut, a Set, or maybe a Horus?”

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Am I unworthy of Atum Ra?”

  “Ah yes, that is why the pharaoh is still unmarried, she hasn’t found Minu, the lower Sinh’Chattaan guard of her dreams.”

  “I sense sincerity,” Minu sucked her teeth at her.

  Esteri laughed, and her tightness let go once again. Her perspiring body, snatching at the linens beneath her protection, was less of a discomfort now. The heat relented and a cool breeze frequented the gaps of her bronze scale armour, caressing her sweat and cooling her body. She whipped off her bronze helm and leant her spear against the wall. She beamed at Minu while she wiped her sweat.

  “Thank you, I know what you have been doing,” Esteri found comfort on her sword hilt again. “I needed it.”

  “I said it when we woke up Ri, I’ve believed it since they paired us during training, you’re talented and you will do well.”

  Esteri dragged Minu into her arms and squeezed. She squeaked in surprise, but soon wrapped her own arms around her.

  “Osiris challenges Atum Ra, and the pyramids eliminate them entirely,” A man cloaked in strange cloth stood on a table and began screaming to any who would listen. “Is that truly justice? Are the pharaohs so insecure that they resort to such drastic measures to cling to their power?”

  The speaker snatched Esteri and Minu’s eyes. He raised his arms and hid his face. A brave man he was, yet there was a crowd gathered, pausing before his cramped table. He echoed himself a few times, catching more curious faces.

  “We should stop this,” Esteri whispered, but Minu grabbed her wrist.

  “Corruption bubbles right under your noses. Atum Ra sweeps entire families aside to keep their throne!”

  A sudden hush came over the south side of the bazaar when the crowd parted. Awe-filled exclamations followed in its wake. Esteri forced her bronze helm back on and snatched her spear. A flash of darkness over Minu’s shoulder tightened her chest. She gasped, then spun Minu around just as the blackness formed into a great mass with four limbs. The hooded man vanished as quickly as he arrived.

  The dark Sinha was grand, its mane tickled the dusty road as it padded towards them. Its onyx fur absorbed light, but its ruby red eyes glowed with bloody fire. Esteri gasped aloud, yet her legs carried her towards the beast.

  The Tamer atop it slipped off in glorious black scale armour, with a dark Sinha carved into his breastplate. Strange markings littered his armour with organised beauty, not unlike the script on her sword. A pair of sheathed straight blades hung on either side of his waist. His roaring Sinha helm slipped off when he stood before her, barely half a head taller than her, but a giant.

  “Captain Esteri Aten, is it?” His voice was silk, his surprisingly green eyes stood out amongst his subtly scarred dark umber skin. Esteri nodded, after a quick nudge from Minu who rushed to her side. He was a man beyond their station, with his chiselled jaw, and bald head.

  “I am Rahim, son of Tamir Horus. Sixth Medjay of Pharaoh Tayet Atum Ra,” Esteri spotted a second carving on his breastplate. The Red Eye of Horus amongst the pristine stygian blackness, just below the ruby eyed dark Sinha carving. “Your trial awaits you.”

  It took another Minu nudge for Esteri’s legs to move, but she floated towards Rahim’s offered hand. She smiled at his warmness, and a tingle rushed through her gauntlet when she took his hand.

  “I hope you do not mind riding my Tamed? I do not wish to taint your opportunity with tardiness.”

  “Not at all,” a pitiful squeak, but she was proud she managed words at all.

  “May I?”

  Esteri nodded, then squealed when he lifted her as if she were a child onto his Tamed’s back. The beast snorted when she adjusted herself on its rump, fumbling with her spear. Once Rahim jumped on with little effort, the dark Sinha took off, and she clung to the Tamer just as Sinh’Chattaan’s buildings became blurred lines.

  Esteri’s legs became jelly when she dismounted. Rahim caught her before her knees gave in and held her until the world stopped rushing all around. It took her a moment to trust her eyes when she finally took in her surroundings, but even when she did, she refused to believe it.

  Three towering pyramids reached high into the sky, threatening to poke the clouds with their sharp peaks. The pair on either side of her were subtly shorter than the monstrosity ahead.

  The pyramid on her right was cyan coloured, dusty with a golden eye of Horus painted proudly on the side facing her. To her left was a snow-white pyramid, with an enormous and black was-sceptre of Set painted upon it. But most of the glorious beauty came from the one ahead. Painted pharaoh blue, and the only one without patches upon its surface. A black jagged Atum Ra sun absorbed the light of the fire in the sky. With an enormous diamond for a tip, the pharaoh’s pyramid was far and away the sight of Sinh’Chattaan.

  He led her towards the centre of the grand courtyard before she could admire the fourth, but smallest pyramid behind her. It was relatively bland, stony brown with a watery blue base. Tefnut’s pyramid.

  Tamers were busy on the large stone stage, surrounded by dusty and chipped columns. Composite bows hummed when arrows flew, and targets swung wildly when pierced. Others hacked at battered sacks shaped like people, spilling their brown gold blood.

  “Have you skill with a bow?” Rahim inquired as he jumped up the stairs. Esteri gawked at the Tamers, who seemed rather young under closer inspection. Though their strength was immense, judging by the shattered remnants of their discarded sparring wooden blades.

  “Nerves are natural,” the Medjay chuckled, and she realised she forgot to answer. “May I be blunt?”

  Esteri opened her mouth to reply, but only a squeak escaped her. She cleared her throat and rushed to nod instead, taken aback by his politeness.

  “This is all a formality; the pharaoh only wishes to see you for herself. You are an Aten after all.”

  “What?” Esteri squeaked.

  Rahim frowned at her, though amusement danced on his face.

  “Minu’s scent held no deceit.”

  “Minu?”

  “She didn’t tell you? My, that’s quite the shock, she is rather talkative and forward. Meaning no offence of course,” Rahim rushed to add. “I’m sure her tongue is as equally great as you are a warrior.”

  Esteri’s heart fluttered, she could already imagine the verbal gushing and the poor fools Minu forced to listen.

  “May I?”

  Esteri jumped again and followed Rahim’s eyes down towards her ornate blade on her waist. She drew the spectacular gold blade and offered the hilt to him. His waist hosted a pair of similarly shaped straight blades as well, though black rather than gold, and with a red eye of Horus for a pommel.

  “May I have yours?” Esteri found some courage, and he did the same.

  It was heavier than her own blade, and equally script decorated. The blacksteel blade was magnificent, and sung a similar tune to her own when she swung it beside Rahim’s dance. She was glad she spent years becoming accustomed to her script strengthened blade’s weight.

  “Impressive, you do Aten proud to wield it,” Rahim handed it back to her when she did the same. She sheathed it and realised her spear lay on the floor. Esteri squeaked her thanks, but his attention turned elsewhere while she scrambled to organise herself.

  The Tamers ceased their training and rushed to the edges of the stone stage. A wall of bodies on either side, with their chests puffed out and proud. It took Esteri a moment to realise what was happening, for Rahim’s Tamed dark Sinha towered beside her, draining the light of the world with its unending blackness.

  A procession of gold strode towards the stage, a trio really, but the pair on either side of the middle wore enough gold for a party of people.

  The one in the centre wore a wonderfully blue khepresh, with a ruby eyed dark Sinha decorating it. Wonderfully painted kohl enhanced her face, her lips were black and her beauty was extraordinary, yet harsh. Midnight blue silks streamed behind her, with onyx gems forcing it to hug her shapely body.

  The pair on either side of her wore resplendently gold scale armour, with golden roaring Sinha helms to match. Carvings of golden Sinha, and Horus eyes dominated the centre.

  The young Tamers dropped to their knees in unison when the pharaoh stepped up to the stage. Esteri followed Rahim’s lead and knelt as well, though she stayed low when he rose and approached the pharaoh.

  “Pharaoh Tayet,” Rahim muttered. “I present to you Captain Esteri Aten.”

  “Rise child,” the pharaoh’s voice matched the harshness Esteri noticed. Raspy as well, though not ill willed.

  She surged to her feet and stood at equal height to the pharaoh. Who tilted her head at her with warmth, her onyx eyes scanned her from head to toe. Esteri jumped when another dark Tamed Sinha caught her eye. As black as Rahim’s but subtly smaller, and without a mane.

  “Do you know why you are here?”

  “Yes Pharaoh, I hope to make Aten proud, and please you,” Esteri fixed her eyes on her boots while she spoke. Silence followed however, and when it lingered her heart sank. She dared to raise her gaze and noticed all of their eyes focused behind her.

  Esteri spun around and spotted a speck rushing towards them. A mounted speck, which drew growls from the dark Sinha beside them. Rahim’s hands hovered near his blades, and he sniffed often.

  “No closer!” The sixth Medjay shouted at the approaching Tamer.

  “Pharaoh! There have been murders in the city, brutal. A Tamer’s work no doubt, a few city guards have fallen as well.”

  “Are we under attack?”

  “I’m unsure, but chaos reigns.” The Tamer hesitated, wiping his bloody armour with trembling hands.

  “Spit it out!” Rahim rushed him.

  “Adil Set is one of the murdered.”

  Pharaoh Tayet cursed, then spun towards the golden Medjay beside her, with a cloth raised to her nose. “Dahab, you find Lord Set and tell him to meet me in the throne room. Jinan, find Lord Horus and tell him to take trusted swords into the city.”

  “Yes Pharaoh,” they droned in unison, before sprinting away.

  “Young ones, return to your homes, your business has ended. Rahim, Aten girl with me, and you stranger,” Tayet nodded towards the bloody Tamer. “Follow, I want explicit details.”

  “Pharaoh, I … I am unworthy to be in your presence at the moment.”

  “I will need them before your mind can muddle them, then you may bathe.”

  Esteri hid her confusion, she sniffed as much as she dared, but smelled nothing beyond ale on the bloodied Tamer. Yet Rahim and the pharaoh covered their noses and mouths all the same. The pharaoh and the Tamers were already striding away before Esteri sprinted to catch up.

  #

  A resplendent hall of polished gold. Endless and vast, with thick rugs of black to keep their boots and slippers from scuffing the beauty. Blue silk banners streamed down from the surprisingly high ceiling, proudly displaying the pharaoh’s black Atum Ra sun. The gold bricks mingled with onyx stone, and hieroglyphs made from a rainbow array of precious jewels depicted the long history of the Lion Clan. Esteri made out the Lion Clan founders, Atum Ra, Horus, Isis, Shu, Set, Geb, Nut, Tefnut, Nephthys and Osiris, to the founding of the capital with the other Feline Clans. The early clashes with the Hunters, before they faded into nothingness, and became chaff to the wind.

  Pharaoh Tayet paced before her wondrous throne of black and gold. Forever at war with each other, but never giving up any ground. Pale lapis lazuli formed the jagged Atum Ra sun in the centre of the backrest. While the warring gold and onyx stone haloed the top of the wide throne with a rising sun. A pair of Sinha played the role of armrests and snarled at anyone who dared to approach the throne. One maned, the other without, both with one ruby eye, and one yellow topaz eye.

  Master Rahim’s eyes never left the bloody Tamer, who twiddled his thumbs and stared at his boots. Esteri didn’t need a Tamer’s nose to know he was beyond anxious. Raised shoulders, tight jawed, as if expecting a disciplining hand. Their Tamed lingered outside the hall, though there was more than enough space in the vast throne room.

  The pharaoh suddenly stilled her pacing before the throne, but her expression remained thoughtful. Esteri felt nude without her spear and shield, massaging the pommel of her sword was little comfort. The torches flickered with calm fire, crackling through the silence that lingered.

  “Tell it to me again.” Pharaoh Tayet muttered, scratching her chin, eyes distant.

  “The bazaar was awash in chaos, after this strange man roared traitorous words. Steel clashed, and a district guard rushed for Horus’ Shield to warn us. A Tamer had declared themselves an Osiris, and began murdering any who had the misfortune of being within reach. I rode with a partner to find this Osiris, but happened upon crudely armed brigands instead.”

  “Where is your partner?” Rahim interrupted.

  “Keeping the peace, I rushed to warn you Pharaoh, for the Tamer is still at large.”

  Esteri panicked, Rahim and the pharaoh glanced at her for a moment. Her mind rushed towards Minu, and it took all her strength to keep her face still. Yet Rahim’s eyes lingered even after the pharaoh turned away from her. Esteri hoped beyond hope it was merely a coincidence. Minu wasn’t that foolish, then again how could she have known? She wished to inquire after Minu, but feared what else she might reveal if allowed to.

  “Where are Dahab and Jinan?” The pharaoh moaned aloud. Rahim returned to glaring at the bloody Tamer. Esteri felt bothered, stuffy almost. The torches blazed brighter, and the golden blackness of the throne room glimmered.

  Pharaoh Tayet and Rahim’s eyes darted towards the end of the throne room, behind the doors where their Tamed waited. The bloody Tamer barely glanced over his shoulder, but his attention rose from his boots and fixed upon the pharaoh. Esteri’s fine hairs pricked up, and the entire throne room flashed with searing light. She blinked and grunted when a swift sharpness passed through her.

  “For the Osiris!”

  When her vision returned, Rahim was trading blows with the bloody Tamer. Redness streamed from his thigh. Pharaoh Tayet clutched her shoulder, and blood ruined her silks a little too close to her heart. Her eyes were wide, and for a moment she froze, slumped below her throne.

  Esteri drew her sword and ignored the searing stabbing pain blazing through the gaping wound in her side. She roared as she charged, blade in the air, and her free hand squeezing her wound. The bloody Tamer burned her as she neared, and Rahim was screaming, clutching at his bubbling face after the assassin glanced at it with a fist.

  A flash of gold soared through the air, before burying itself into the bloody Tamer’s chest. He staggered for a moment, but it was enough for Rahim to recover. The sixth Medjay drove both of his straight blades through the Tamer’s thigh. It was then when Esteri finally arrived to deliver her own attack. The man was a blazing furnace; he radiated heat, her blood was bubbling long before nearing him.

  Rahim gasped when he attempted to free his blades, then convulsed, suffering no blow. There was a howl from beyond the throne room and the Medjay slumped to the ground, with foam oozing from his lips.

  Esteri swung her sword, but the bloodied assassin swiped it away with a short blade, and hooked it from her grip. The sword clattered to the floor, but she dived for the Tamer without hesitation. He snatched her by the throat, and her neck seared from the heat emanating from him, her face melted with sweat. And soon she was flying, tossed like a doll into the wall.

  Her back shattered against the black and gold, her armour caved into her spine and stole all the air from her body. Esteri’s vision darkened, her eyes exploded with tears, but not before she saw the pharaoh drive her Aten sword through the assassin’s face. His unnatural heat dissipated immediately, and the blazing torches dimmed to their natural light. The all-encompassing coolness commonplace within the pharaoh’s pyramid returned, and was the last thing Esteri recalled before fading.

  #

  The sun was striking and took some getting used to after a week within the dim infirmary of the pharaoh’s pyramid. Many hands watched over her, physicians wrapped her and soothed her raw burnt skin. Tamers frequented her with their healing hands, doing what they could to repair her shattered body. They fed her like a child, kept her alive, but she still felt like a sack of bones.

  “Sorry,” the Tamer pushing her ornately carved wheelchair rushed to apologise, when it shuddered out onto the vast balcony. Esteri groaned, but bit her lip to stifle it. The man was incredibly kind to her, with soft onyx eyes, and eager to share prideful words for her efforts in protecting the pharaoh. She squeezed the hilt of her Aten blade as the roaring cheers of the crowd, gathered before the Atum Ra pyramid, washed over her.

  Pharaoh Tayet stood waiting, waving occasionally at the masses who chanted her ancestor’s name. Cyan silks gloved her hands, to match her dress, with no hint of the attempt on her life remaining. She wore her khepresh proudly, and it glowed wondrously blue with the blazing heat of the sun. This time there was gold wrapping glittering beautifully upon it.

  Esteri squeezed her blade again, resting on her unfeeling lap, to remind herself that there was still strength flowing through her. The physicians grumbled when the pharaoh ordered this celebration to the masses. She was fine silk rather than skin, but the wrappings were soft. A healing embrace of sorts, upon her cushioned wheelchair. The poultice cooled her raw skin, after the initial burning. At least it smelled pleasant enough.

  Pharaoh Tayet raised her hands, and a hush flowed along the vast crowd. Esteri’s heart filled her throat when she saw it continue beyond Tefnut’s pyramid far ahead. How they thought to hear the Pharaoh’s words, she didn’t know. Her heart warred with emotions when she considered the possibility that they might have come for her as well.

  “I bring a new hero deserving of your adoration. Those cowardly Osiris brought violence to our city, reaching the very throne room within this pyramid! But the traitors failed because of Esteri Aten!”

  The Tamer pushing her chair nudged her beside the pharaoh, and she felt every one of the thousand eyes and more. Their necks craned up to see her, and they cheered. Tears warmed her cheeks, and she raised her Aten blade with a trembling hand. Raucous cheers and applause gave her strength to keep it raised.

  “May Aten and her descendants never fade into obscurity; may the sun forever shine upon Aten!”

  Pharaoh Tayet knelt before her as the noise exploded. She produced a grand golden ankh, with diamonds littering its surface.

  “May this serve as an heirloom for your family, and a reward for your service.”

  “Thank you, Pharaoh, I wish I could have done more.”

  “It was beyond you, and you still did,” Pharaoh Tayet kissed her brow and Esteri’s chest tingled.

  #

  “That is some gift,” The Tamer pushing her chair chuckled while she ogled the ankh on her lap. Now awash in the pyramid's coolness, the endless adoration became an echo, Esteri found calm. Her heart wobbled at the mention of Osiris however, and her mind drifted towards Minu. It might have been a week since she last saw her, and she yearned for her friend. Esteri feared to inquire after her, she wasn’t ready to find out if she still lived, or shared in the treachery.

  She rolled into her quarters, but hardly noticed the unnatural darkness within. Her eyes danced between the gaudy ankh and her Aten blade.

  “Here you are,” the Tamer smiled at her. She finally lifted her eyes and admired his distracting handsomeness. His onyx eyes shone amongst the surrounding kohl, and his chiselled features sent a chill down the parts of her spine she could still feel. His umber skin glowed, though his beard was surprisingly patchy.

  “You must forgive my Tamed, he insisted on watching over you. I will return in a moment with your physicians.”

  Esteri nodded at him and turned her chair around towards the darkest corner of her already dim room. A pair of rubies floated in the darkness, formless to her eyes and looking down at her. She smiled at the Sinha, but couldn’t make out the Feline’s silhouette. The darkness shrouding it appeared hollow, life stealing almost. Her room was incredibly quiet, she hardly heard the Tamer close her door, and remain within.

  The dark Sinha vanished and took the absorbing blackness with it. Esteri shrugged and used the last of her strength to turn her chair back towards her door. A hand covered her lips and barred her yelp from escaping. The handsome Tamer danced a steel blade before her eyes, and his handsomeness turned into devilry. His onyx eyes sparked with hatred.

  “It will take more than a Horus cub and a city guard brat to halt my return. I will have my revenge, Tayet will stain my blade, and everyone will forget about your efforts.”

  Esteri would have squirmed if she had the strength. She slumped and suffered his taunts.

  “Did you really think the pharaoh would have chosen you without my guiding hand? Minu certainly lived up to her end, yet you? All you needed to do was watch, to let it happen. But you made your choice, and look what it got you.”

  He nicked her cheek at first, but soon carved her face with it. Her flesh seared against the cool steel, and his stifling hand ensured she suffered in silence.

  “Here is your reward Medjay,” He whispered mockingly into her ear. His knife delved greedily into her chest above her heart. “You will die for your pharaoh.”

  Esteri shuddered as her vision faded, she clawed at his arm and her prized jewel clattered to the floor. She went cold and her vision darkened. The last warmth she felt was Osiris’ own.